Black currant reversion virus, a mite-transmitted
nepovirus
Petri Susi
Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku,
Tykistökatu 6 A, 20520 Turku, Finland
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| Taxonomy: |
Black currant reversion virus
(BRV) is the first identified mite-transmitted member of the genus Nepovirus
(family Comoviridae). A few systematic studies have been performed
to compare virus isolates from different geographical locations. |
| Physical properties: |
Purified preparations contain two
closely sedimenting centrifugal components (B and M for RNA1 and RNA2,
respectively) at varying ratios, and occasionally a T component (for
satellite RNA). The BRV capsids have a diameter of 27 nm and they are
putatively composed of 60 copies of a single species of capsid (coat)
protein assembled in an icosahedral lattice. Diluted plant sap loses its
infectivity within 1 day at 20 °C and in 4-8 days at 4 °C. |
| Hosts: |
The natural host range of BRV is
limited; it infects black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) and some
related Ribes species. The transmission of the virus is by the
eriophyid gall mite of black currant (Cecidophyopsis ribis). A
number of herbaceous plants can be infected experimentally. BRV is the
agent of black currant reversion disease (BRD), which is economically the
most significant virus disease in Ribes species. BRV and BRD occur
widely in locations where black currant is cultivated commercially. |
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Symptoms
caused by BRV. (A) Alteration of leaf morphology in black currant (Ribes
nigrum L.). A BRV-infected leaf (on the left) has deeper slopes and
decreased number of marginal serrations and main veins than a healthy leaf
(on the right). (B) Mosaic symptoms and (C) full necrosis in BRV-infected N.
benthamiana.
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